An Instance of the Fingerpost
by Iain Pears
An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears holds a well received rating of 3.93 out of 5, based on 17.6K reader ratings. First published in 1997. The book spans 691 pages.
About An Instance of the Fingerpost
An ingenious tour de force: an utterly compelling historical mystery with a plot that twists and turns and keeps the reader guessing until the very last page.We are in England in the 1660s. Charles II has been restored to the throne following years of civil war and Cromwell's short-lived republic. Oxford is the intellectual seat of the country, a place of great scientific, religious, and political ferment. A fellow of New College is found dead in suspicious circumstances. A young woman is accused of his murder. We hear the story of the death from four witnesses: an Italian physician intent on claiming credit for the invention of blood transfusion; the son of an alleged Royalist traitor; a master cryptographer who has worked for both Cromwell and the king; and a renowned Oxford antiquarian. Each tells his own version of what happened. Only one reveals the extraordinary truth.With rights sold for record-breaking sums around the world, An Instance of the Fingerpost is destined to become a major international publishing event. Deserving of comparison to the works of John Fowles and Umberto Eco, Iain Pears's novel is an ingenious tour de force: an utterly compelling historical mystery with a plot that twists and turns and keeps the reader guessing until the very last page.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Iain Pears |
| Published | 1997 |
| Pages | 691 |
| Genres | Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery & Thriller, Mystery & Thriller, Mystery & Thriller |
| Average Rating | 3.93 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 17,604 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is An Instance of the Fingerpost?
An Instance of the Fingerpost is categorized as Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery & Thriller, Mystery & Thriller. Its primary genre classification is Mystery & Thriller.
Is An Instance of the Fingerpost worth reading?
Based on 17.6K reader ratings, An Instance of the Fingerpost has an average score of 3.93 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is An Instance of the Fingerpost?
An Instance of the Fingerpost has 691 pages. It is a longer read suited for dedicated readers.
Who wrote An Instance of the Fingerpost?
An Instance of the Fingerpost was written by Iain Pears. It was first published in 1997.
What is the ISBN for An Instance of the Fingerpost?
The ISBN-13 for An Instance of the Fingerpost is 9781573227960.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
